Exploring Sydney

[Thu 11/17 - Fri 11/18]

After grabbing a coffee and pastry at a local cafe, we headed back to the Royal Botanic Garden around 10am Thursday on another beautiful day, with clear skies and temperatures in the mid-60's. We both thoroughly enjoyed exploring the gardens, filled with hundreds of species of plants, flowers and trees, all set in a well laid-out, beautifully manicured park, nestled between the harbor and city center. There were amazing views everywhere you looked.

Palace Rose Garden and Pavillion

Lavender garden

Roses

If this tree could talk...

Ever-present Harbour Bridge and Opera House

We could easily have spent half a day or more walking around the gardens but there was more to see and do! Victoria met us at the Circular Quay Ferry Terminal around 12:30 and we quickly boarded a ferry for Watsons Bay, a small, harbor town about 8 miles northeast of downtown, near the mouth of Sydney Harbor. The ferry system here is impressive - fast, efficient and punctual. The harbor is bustling with boats heading to various suburbs and points of interest. 

Circular Quay Ferry Terminal

The ride was beautiful, a great way to gain perspective on the expanse of Sydney and see some of the sights from a different vantage point. Our boat stopped briefly at Rose Bay, then continued to Watsons. 

Our hotel is just below those 2 cranes

(don't think I need to repeat the names of these two)

We grabbed brunch at Watsons Bay Cafe, a short walk from the ferry terminal, then crossed the street to Gap Lookout National Park. We hiked up a trail and soaked in the amazing views of the South Pacific and crazy rock formations at the mouth of the harbor.

Postcard day

Rocky cliffs and the town of Watsons Bay

From Watson's we picked up a trail that wandered along/near the waterfront heading back toward Sydney. We set our sites on Rose Bay, where we could catch a ferry back to downtown, about a 4.5 mile walk. The trail provided a great opportunity to experience a few beautiful beaches and walk through some of the (wealthy) waterfront neighborhoods outside of Sydney. 

Sydney in the distance

Trailside views

Boardwalk above a rocky shore

We got to the Rose Bay ferry dock 4 minutes before the next boat was scheduled to arrive (it pulled up right on time) and boarded for the short ride back to Circular Quay Terminal.

We were all exhausted, so headed to the hotel to relax and freshen up. Our plan to meet 'the boy' got postponed a night and so Victoria headed back to meet some friends and Karri and I (eventually) headed out for a delicious dinner on the waterfront at Lavana - a short walk from our hotel.

Dinner with a harbor view

By the end of dinner we were both at risk of falling asleep at our table, so headed back to the hotel - again impressed that we lasted til 9:30! - and went to bed.

Another great night of sleep. We (naively?) feel like we've avoided the worst of jet lag. Today (Friday) we plan to go see Victoria's apartment and explore the Macquarie University campus, then come back into Sydney for dinner with Victoria and said boy. A few more clouds this morning but they should clear soon, temperatures are again in the mid-60's. Perfect.